The New South Wales Higher School Certificate syllabus has had its biggest overhaul in 16 years.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) says it wants a renewed focus on “rigour, thoroughness and depth” in classic learning areas like maths and English, as well as major changes to make year 12 science and history topics more complex.

NESA chair Tom Alegounarias says it is a “major shift”.

“We reviewed the whole HSC, we looked at what the community is demanding for now and in the future,” Mr Alegounarias said.

“The major shift is towards greater depth, rigour, and mastery of content learning.”